104
poems.
Sin, care, and sorrow flee, and, as those clouds
That roll'd their shades but now, leave no dark trace
While brightly shines the sun of light and joy.
But hush! Sweet grove, beneath your spreading shade
And soft descending branches, I retir'd
To seek forgetfulness of all the world,
And find beneath your bright, yet solemn screen,
A spot to weep o'er sorrow:—I was led
By gentle thoughts infus'd by solitude,
So lovely, rich, and fair, to turn and view
The glories spread around me, and recall%
The Lord who made them, and I felt my want
Of his sustaining favour: now my heart,
Refresh'd and strengthen'd, and with gentler thoughts
Of those it turn'd from, breathes a prayer sincere;
And as I view the mercies richly given
For man's true happiness,—the boundless store
Of beauty spread around for all who seek
Their pleasure in God's works,[1]—my spirit bows,
And, while it breathes its gratitude to heaven,
Humbly recalls its murm'rings.
Farewell,
That roll'd their shades but now, leave no dark trace
While brightly shines the sun of light and joy.
But hush! Sweet grove, beneath your spreading shade
And soft descending branches, I retir'd
To seek forgetfulness of all the world,
And find beneath your bright, yet solemn screen,
A spot to weep o'er sorrow:—I was led
By gentle thoughts infus'd by solitude,
So lovely, rich, and fair, to turn and view
The glories spread around me, and recall%
The Lord who made them, and I felt my want
Of his sustaining favour: now my heart,
Refresh'd and strengthen'd, and with gentler thoughts
Of those it turn'd from, breathes a prayer sincere;
And as I view the mercies richly given
For man's true happiness,—the boundless store
Of beauty spread around for all who seek
Their pleasure in God's works,[1]—my spirit bows,
And, while it breathes its gratitude to heaven,
Humbly recalls its murm'rings.
Farewell,
- ↑ "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Psalms cxi, 2.
